Scaffolding



Aug. 2, 1949.

G. W. CAUSEY SCAFFOLDING Filed Sept. 21, 1946 Aug. 2, 1949. G, w, CAUSEY 2,478,088

' scAFFoLDING Filed Sept. 21, 1946 4 sheets-sheet 2 l INVENTOR.

i fx

Aug. 2, 1949.

Filed Sept. 21, 1946 G. W. CAUSEY SCAFFOLDING 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 /25 um c Aug 2, 1949. G. w. cAUsEY 2,478,088

SCAFFOLDING Filed Sept. 21, 1946 y 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Aug. 2, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SCAFFOLDING George W. Causey, Pittsburgh, Pa. Application September 21, 1946, Serial No. 698,581

9 Claims. 1

My invention relates to structural units. lncluding suchunits as are employed in temporary erections, such for instance as sectional scaffolding and other "take-down structures.

The principal object which I have in View is the provision of a new and improved structural unit which may be conveniently handled and may be disposed in a plurality of positions to obtain different elevations and combinations, and thus the units may be assembled to produce structures suited for many dierent purposes.

Another object in view is a new and improved structural unit which is adapted for use for general supporting purposes, such as in a platform, a bench top, a table top and the like.

Another object in view is the provision of new and improved telescopic means for maintaining the assembled units ln a composite structure in proper alignment and relationship.

Another object ln View is a novel and advantageous method of constructing my improved structural unit.

Other objects will appear in the following specification.

In the accompanying drawings, wherein is illustrated the principles of my invention,

Fig. 1. is an elevation of the structural unit disposed with its greater dimension vertical;

Fig. 2 is a detail View on enlarged .scale showing the welded connection of one of the end rails to one of the side rail sections;

Fig. 3 is a like view showing the connection of two of the side rail sections to one of the cross rails;

Fig. 4 is an elevation showing two of the units assembled to obtain increased height;

Fig. 5 is a like View showing two units disposed with their dimension vertical and in superimposed relation to obtain a less height than in Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a like: view showing one unit superimposed on another, the lower unit being di.,- posed with its lesser dimension vertical and the upper with its greater dimension vertical to obtain a height intermediatel of those illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3;

Fig. 'I is a like view showing two units, both with their lesser dimension vertical and assembled side by side;

Fig. 8 isa like view showing the units assembled with their greater dimension vertical;

Fig. 9 is a perspective View showing spaced parallel' units arranged to form a scaffold support and the method of connecting and bracing the same, and indicating in dotted lines a portion of a third unit mounted on one of the base units and braced from the other base unit;

Fig. 10 is a view on enlarged scale, and partly in section, illustrating the means employed to hold assembled units in proper alignment the 2 telescopic connecting pin being shown in its extended o1- operative position;

Fig. 11 is a like view showing the pin. retracted when not in operative use;

Fig. 12 is an outer end View of one of the telescopic connecting pins;

Fig. 13 is an elevation showing an assemblage of a plurality of units.

Fig. 14y is an elevation showing a unit disposed with its greater dimension vertical and employed to support the end of a platform, bench, or the like;

Fig. 15 is a like viewV with the unit disposed with its lesser dimension vertical;

Fig. 16 is a sectional View on enlarged scale illustrating the attachment of the platform or other top member to the unit.

Referring irst to Fig. l., the structural unit is formed of lengths of stock, preferably tubular stock, and comprises parallel spaced end rails 28", cross rails 2l parallel to and spaced equally from the end rails, and side rails 22 disposed at right angles to the end rails and the cross rails and rigidly attached thereto. Each side rail is composed of three sections, the two end sections 22a and the intermediate section Zio.

The ends of each of the end rails 2li are cut to arcuate shape to nt against the sides of the end rail section 22a adjacent the outer ends of the latter and are welded thereto as illustrated in Fig. 2. The opposite or inner ends of the side rail sections 22a are out in arcuate shape to lit against the side of the adjacent cross rail 2l and are welded thereto. The intermediate side rail sections 22h extend between the cross rails 2i and have arcuate end portions to t against the sides ofthe cross rails 2|, and are welded thereto. This structure is illustrated in .Fig 3. The length of the cross rails 2l is suciently greater than that of the end rails 2d to provide for a short extension of the ends of the cross rails beyond the side rails, preferably about hall? of an inch. Likewise the outer extremities of the side rail sections 22a. extend slightly beyond the corresponding end rail 2t.

The distance between the axial centers of the side rails 22 and the distance between the axial centers of the cross rails 2l are the saine, thus forming a square having all four dimensions the same.

The end rails 2G are spaced at an equal distance from the adjacent cross rail, which distance preferably is one-half of the distance between the two cross rails 2 I.

23 indicates angularly disposed corner braces extending between the end rail sections 22 to the adjacent cross rails 2l and welded to the same. To provide additional strength struts '2li extend between each of the end rails 2` and the adjacent cross rail Z l.

The outside dimensions of the unit may be varied to suit diierent purposes and uses. Thus in scaiolding for building and repair purposes these dimensions conveniently may be six feet long and four feet in width, while the dimensions of smaller units to be used for the support of the tops of temporary platforms or the support of table and bench surfaces may be three feet by two feet.

For heavy service the units are made of steel tubing, but for lighter use the material may be metal of less weight, such as aluminum or magnesium.

The method which I employ in constructing my improved structural unit is as follows. I rst assemble each of the end rails 20, a pair of the side rail sections 22a, one of the cross rails 2| and the strut 24 in proper mutual relation in a jig with the parts in the relative positions which they are to occupy in the finished unit and weld the ends of the end rau to side rail sections as illustrated in Fig, 2, thus forming a rectangular box. I then place these two boxes spaced apart in the proper position in a jig and assemble therewith in proper mutual relation the two intermediate side rail sections 22h and the corner braces 23, and weld the adjacent ends of the side rail sections 22D to the cross rails 2|, and the corner braces to the end rail sections 22h and the cross rails '2 l.

I thus quickly produce a rectangular unit having a central square frame and opposite end boxes, with the outer ends of the side rail sections and the ends of the cross rails protruding slightly.

In Fig. 4 two of the units are shown assembled in superimposed relation to obtain an increased elevation and any required number of the units may be assembled thus to attain the desired height.

A novel form of telescopic connection, more fully disclosed in Figs. 10, 11 and 12, is provided for connecting the units and holding them in proper alignment. Thus indicates a Pin, preferably of tubular steel and of proper diameter to slidably fit the bore of the tubing. The pin is extended to engage the bores of the aligned tubes adjacent the abutting extremities of the latter, as illustrated in Fig. 10, and is held in position by a bolt 25 which extends through the aligned holes 21 in the wall of one of the side members 22, one of said holes being threaded to receive the threaded end of the bolt 25. rihe bolt also extends through holes 20 cut through the walls of the pin 25. When the pin 25 is not in use, as when the unit is stored or in transportation, it is retracted with its outer end substantially flush with the ends of the side and cross rails, as shown in Fig. 10, an additional pair of aligned holes 29 being provided in the walls of the tubing which, when the pin is retracted, register with the holes 28 in the pin to receive the bolt 26 and thus retain the pin in place. Means are provided to prevent the sliding or" the pin too far into the bore of the tubing. Thus I show a cross pin 30 extending through aligned holes in the tubing and riveted at its ends. Contact of the inner end of the connecting pin '25 with the stop pin 30 limits the retractive movement of the former.

To enable the pin to be extended conveniently when a composite structure is to be erected, I weld in the outer end of the bore of the pin 25 a nut 3|, having a threaded bore of the proper diameter to receive the threaded end of the bolt tween the units.

4 26 so that the pin may be drawn out from its retracted position shown in Fig. 10 to its eX- tended position shown in Fig. 11.

In Fig. 5 I show two units in superimposed relation with the cross rails 2| disposed vertically. In this instance the same character of telescopic pin connection is provided for the abutting ends of the cross rails 2| of the two units as is disclosed in the cases of the abutting ends of the side rails 22 in Figs, 2, 7 and 8. Thus a composite scaiold support of less height than in Fig. 2 is illustrated.

In Fig. 6 a composite structure of a height, intermediate of the respective heights of Figs. 1 and 2, is provided by arranging the two units in the two different disposals, the ends of the cross rails 2| of the unit being aligned with and abutting the ends of the side members 22 in the other unit. The same method of telescopic pin connection is employed.

It will be noted that owing to the slight protrusion of the cross rails 2| and the side rails 22 at the outer ends thereof, clearance is provided to avoid contact between the adjacent end rails 20 in Fig. 4, between the side rails '22 in Fig. 5, and between the adjacent end rail and side rail of the two units in Fig. 6.

When the units are erected means are provided to provide a level support for the same. Thus I show a foot member 32 engaging the lower ends of the side members 22, which foot member may be of the character described and claimed in Letters Patent No. 2,201,608, issued to me on May 21, 1940.

Fig. 7 illustrates a pair of units assembled side by side with the cross rails 2| vertically disposed and connected together by the telescopic pins 25 extending through the abutting extremities of the side members 22 to prevent misalignment be- The units also are braced in parallelism as by means of the cross braces 33 whose extremities are bolted to the connecting brackets 34, welded to the side members 22, which brackets advantageously may be of the type disclosed and claimed in Letters Patent No. 2,397,241, issued to me on March 16, 1946. To provide clearance between two crossed braces 33 they may be placed on opposite sides of the units.

In Fig. 8 the two units are shown assembled side by side with their side rails 22 disposed vertically and the abutting ends of the cross rails connected by the telescopic pins 25 and braced together by the cross braces 33.

Fig. 9 illustrates two units disposed parallel to and spaced from each other to complete a scaffold section, crossed braces 35 being employed to connect the two units,l said braces being provided, as is usual in the present practice, with eyes at the ends thereof which engage over the threaded studs 36 protruding inwardly from the side rails 22 of the units, nuts being screwed on the ends of the studs. In case the units are disposed on their side and at right angles from their position shown in Fig. 10, the braces engage like studs 3G on the endrails 20 of the units. When addi tional units are superimposed on the base units, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 9, braces 3'! are employed, one end thereof being attached to studs 36 on one 0f the base units, while their other ends are attached to like studs on the upper unit superimposed on the other base unit. Likewise similar braces would be employed to connect like studs on the other base unit with studs on the unit superimposed on the iirst mentioned base unit.

Fig. 13 illustrates a composite structure formed of my improved units wherein the distance between the axial centers of end rail and the adjacent cross rail 2l at each end of the unit is one-half of the distance between the axial centers of the two cross rails 2|, which of course is the same as that between the axial centers of the two side rails 22. Thus composite structures of many various characteristics may be formed.

In this view the base of the structure is formed by two vertically disposed units A and A2 in spaced relation, the distance between the axial centers of their adjacent side rails 22 being equal to that between the axial centers of the two cross rails 2l of each unit. Thus when two additional units B and B2 are superimposed on the lowermost units with their cross rails 2l vertical and with the adjacent ends of their side rails abutting and connected by telescopic pins, the cross rails of each of the superimposed units will register with the side rails of the base units to be connected therewith by telescopic pins. Additional vertical base units and superimposed units may be employed as needed.

Mounted on top of the superimposed units a third unit C is shown with its side rails vertical and aligned in abutting relation with the two adjacent cross rails of the two intermediate units, telescopic pins connecting the rails.

This view illustrates the flexibility of my improved units in the erection of structures of a wide range of form and type.

Fig. 14 illustrates the use of a unit with the side rails 22 vertically disposed and employed to support an end of a horizontal surface, such as a platform, or a table or bench top, indicated at 38. In this arrangement the top 38 is supported by the upper ends of the side members 22 and screws 39 are inserted down through vertical holes in the top 33 and driven into the threaded nuts 3i on the ends of the pins 25 which are retracted in the tubular members 22, as shown in Fig. 16.

Fig. 15 illustrates the use of a unit with its cross rails 2l disposed vertically, the top 3S being thus supported at a lower level than in Fig. 14. The same method is used to fix the top to the upper ends of the cross rails 2| as that illustrated by Fig. 16.

It is evident from the foregoing that my improved unit is strong and rigid and it may be used in many arrangements for which the units now in general use are entirely unfitted.

I claim:

1. A structural unit for the purpose described formed of metal rails permanently connected together as by welding and comprising a pair of parallel spaced apart end rails, a pair of spaced apart cross rails disposed parallel with and intermediate of the end rails and equally spaced from the adjacent end rails, a pair of side rails disposed at right angles to the end rails and the cross rails and connecting the same together, the distances between the axial centers o-f the cross rails and the distance between the axial centers of the side rails being equal to enable a pair of said units to be assembled together with the side rails of one unit aligned with and abutting either the side rails or the cross rails of the second unit as may be selected for the purpose in View, and means for attaching the ends of the rails of a unit to the aligned abutting ends of the rails of another unit to be assembled therewith.

2. The structure of claim 1 characterized by the distance between the axial center of each of the end rails and the axial center of the adjacent cross rail being one-half of the distance between the axial centers of the two cross rails.

3. The structure of claim 1 characterized by the side rails being formed of sections comprising an intermediate section, extending between the cross rails and permanently attached to the latter adjacent their ends, and two end sections having their inner ends attached to the cross rails adjacent the ends of the latter and having their outer end portions attached to the ends of the end rails.

4. The structure of claim 1 characterized by a slight extension of the ends of the cross rails beyond the side rails and a like extension of the side rails beyond the end rails to provide clearance when the unit is assembled in a composite Structure.

5. The structure of claim 1 characterized by the employment of tubular rails and the ends of the cross rails and of the side rails being open to receive telescopic pin connection between assembled units.

6. Means for connecting together the aligned tubular members of two scaifold units comprising a telescopic pin nested in the bore of one of said sections and arranged to be partially extended from said bore to be inserted into the bore of the other member, means for maintaining the pin in its extended position, and means for securing the pin in its position retracted within the bore of the iirst mentioned tubular member.

7. The structure of claim 6 characterized by the provision of a bolt hole extending diametrically through the pin, two pair of registering bolt holes in the wall of the iirst mentioned tubular member and relatively located so as to register with the hole in the pin in its retracted and extended positions respectively, and a bolt arranged to be inserted through the hole in the pin and the proper pair of bolt holes to hold the pin in its selected position.

8. The structure of claim 6 characterized by the provision of means within the bore of the iirst mentioned tubular member to limit the inward movement therein of the pin.

9. The structure of claim 6 characterized by an axial threaded hole in the outer portion of the pin to receive a bolt for the withdrawal of the pin into its extended position and for attachment of other elements thereto.

GEORGE W. CAUSEY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date D. 142,496 Reiner Oct. 2, 1945 1,917,314 Moir July 11, 1933 1,969,656 Marlowe Aug. 7, 1934 2,126,720 Beatty et al. Aug. 16, 1938 2,203,114 Uecker et a1. June 4, 1940 2,248,278 Michelman July 8, 1941 2,294,240 Pullman Aug. 25, 1942 2.361,614 Dugan et al. Oct. 31, 1944 2,387,134 Fox Oct. 16, 1945 2,433,216 Harwell Dec. 23, 1947 

